Mpox Outbreak - Los Angeles County, California, May 4-August 17, 2023.

Abstract

Since May 2022, approximately 2,500 mpox cases have been reported in Los Angeles County (LAC), California. Beginning in May 2023, the LAC Department of Public Health observed a consistent increase in mpox cases after a prolonged period of low incidence. A total of 56 cases were identified during May 4-August 17, 2023. A minority of mpox patients were fully vaccinated (29%). One patient was hospitalized; no deaths were reported. Two cases of reinfection occurred, both of which were associated with mild illness. The increasing number of cases during this period was significant, as few other health departments in the United States reported an increase in mpox cases during the same period. The outbreak spread similarly to the 2022 U.S. mpox outbreak, mainly through sexual contact among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. Vaccination against mpox became available in June 2022 and has been shown to be effective at preventing mpox disease. This outbreak was substantially smaller than the 2022 mpox outbreak in LAC (2,280 cases); possible explanations for the lower case count include increased immunity provided from vaccination against mpox and population immunity from previous infections. Nonetheless, mpox continues to spread within LAC, and preventive measures, such as receipt of JYNNEOS vaccination, are recommended for persons at risk of Monkeypox virus exposure.